Turkey, Apple & Cheese Wrap Lunchbox

August 18, 2016 Amanda Plott

Thank you SkinnyPop Popcorn for sponsoring this post. Feel good about adding SkinnyPop Popcorn to your kids' lunchbox this back-to-school season, a better-for-you snack made with ingredients your kids can spell and pronounce!

Ah! Today is the first day of first grade for my little girl, and there is definitely a big difference between dropping her off today and dropping her off for her first day of kindergarten. I think every mommy in the world knows exactly what I'm talking about too. What can I say? It was an exceptionally long and drawn out summer.

Needless to say, I was super excited about making her lunch and getting her ready last night. Of course, to keep her little mind active, I wanted to be sure that she had the tools that she needed in her lunchbox to keep her going through her day. This better-for-you lunch has everything a growing kiddo needs and wants without having to make any compromises...

Skinny Edible Monster Cookie Dough

August 4, 2016 Amanda Plott

It's still really hot here in Texas right now. Seriously, it was 80 degrees upstairs in my house last night. ...And that was after the sun set. So, clearly I'm staying away from the oven as much as humanly possible for a few more weeks. In the mean time... I'm still craving things that generally require cooking or baking. Let's face it, life doesn't stop just because it's hot outside! Cookies are what's been on my brain lately.

If it's cookies I want, it's cookies I get.

Not just any old cookie though. I want something thick and rick and colorful. Enter this Skinny Edible Monster Cookie Dough! If this won't get you through the heat of the summer and curb your cookie cravings, nothing will...

Healthified Juicy Lucy Burgers

August 2, 2016 Amanda Plott

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so... I'll just leave this right here for a moment and let you take all of this glorious golden cheese amazingness in.

...

Good? Good.

When I decided to try my hand at making a Juicy Lucy burger this week, I've got to admit, I was a little nervous! The last time that I attempted making a Juicy Lucy was with my dad grilling them up, and let's just say they didn't turn out as planned. Not at all.

The cheese completely disappeared out into the burger meat and/or oozed out in a sad waste. Leaving us with just plain old burger patties. How boring! It was cheese abuse at it's finest. So much cheese was lost that day... may it rest in peace. Today though, that wasn't the case. I was determined to have my Juicy Lucy, and eat it too with all of it's amazing cheese goodness tucked away inside where it's supposed to be...

Skinny Baked Tortellini Bites (Sponsored)

July 27, 2016 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BackToSchoolReady #CollectiveBias

I've been so busy with the end of summer and getting my little one ready for back-to-school that it's been a task to be a the balanced mom I know that I am. I'm all about using quality ingredients and offering better-for-you options to my family, but let's face it... sometimes schedules and lifestyle will try and to force us to make compromises.

These baked tortellini bites are the perfect balance of being quick and easy to make while also being more health conscious without sacrificing any taste! Another great thing about these little bites is that they make for a great after school snack or even used as part of a dinner; served with a side salad and some sauce for dipping...

Healthified No Bake Thumbprint Cookies

July 18, 2016 Amanda Plott

So, today I decided to be a bit lazy and go the no bake route. I mean... it's 100 degrees here in Texas and I sure don't want to turn my oven or stove on anymore than I need to. That being said, sometimes a girl just needs a sweet treat or a cookie to make it through the day! This is definitely the best of both worlds right here.

These no bake thumbprint cookies are so super easy to whip and I don't even need to heat my kitchen up at all to enjoy them! The best part is that they are basically as clean as cookies can come! Using oat and nut flours instead of wheat, also means they are gluten-free!...

Granola Cups

July 7, 2016 Amanda Plott

I've been looking to make breakfast a little more interesting and fun round here lately while I've got my little one home for the summer. Ugh! I can't believe she's about to be a big first grader. Anyway, these cute little granola cups were the perfect way to do that! They're cute, and little, and so easy to make!

What I love about these cups is that they are so versatile. You can use them as mini pie crusts, fill them with yogurt and/or fruit (like I did) for breakfast, or even as the base of a tart or other sort of dessert. I'm thinking mini cheesecakes!

By the way, did I mention that they are also vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free? Yep, yep, and yep! These little cuties definitely hit all the right notes. If all that isn't convincing enough, there's also chia seeds in them too; adding super crunch and even more texture...